The project is a 5-mile portion of the new East-West Connector, a four-lane divided section with several bridges to cross streets, creeks, and railroads. It was previously designed by others and then put on hold due to permitting issues. ARCADIS was hired to redesign a 1.7-mile and a 0.2-mile section to comply with the Corps of Engineers permit requirements and to mitigate impacts to a historically significant area.
The project required the design of four bridges, six retaining walls and geogrid reinforced slopes. The bridges consisted of prestressed AASHTO beams supported by hammerhead bents up to 100 feet high and MSE wall abutments. Bridges over Laurel and Nickajack Creeks where 700 and 940 feet in length respectively. The bridge at Laurel Creek was lengthened and redesigned to eliminate a stream relocation. The bridges utilized similar hammerhead bent designs and spans ranging from 90 feet to 125 feet. Rough terrain and strict clearing limitations required the use of a 650-ton crane to set prestressed girders.
Bridges over the new four-lane roadway were treated with special architectural finishes to reflect the historic nature of the area. These bridges utilized exposed rock cuts, form-lined concrete walls, stained surfaces and a heavy timber facade to depict a covered bridges of the 19th century.
ARCADIS was recognized by the Georgia Chapter of The American Concrete Institute with the first place award in the public works category for the bridge design on this project.